Full Time Faculty

James Voogt-Department Chair

Current ResearchThe overall objective of my research is to better understand urban thermal anisotropy (the directional variation in remotely observed surface temperature over urban areas) and develop models that will allow correction for thermal anisotropy at a range of scales for urban areas. The outcomes of this work are important to our ability to provide representative urban surface temperatures. These temperatures are a key variable to the air temperature of cities, heat loading on urban residents, energy use by buildings, providing input to weather forecast and pollutant dispersion models and for assessing urban heat mitigation strategies such as cool surfaces.

I am seeking interested graduate students with backgrounds in one or more of: micro or boundary layer meteorology/climatology (vegetated or urban areas), remote sensing (especially thermal remote sensing and/or remote sensing of vegetation in urban areas), computer science, or engineering who are interested in measurement, modeling or applications of urban surface temperature.

Possible thesis topics include:- observations of urban thermal anisotrophy over vegetated urban areas;- evaluation of models of urban thermal anisotropy;- development of urban energy balance models that include vegetation for use in predicting urban thermal anisotropy;- assessment of urban thermal anisotropy from satellite observations;- development of parameterizations of urban thermal anisotropy;- links between urban thermal anisotropy and assessment of the urban surface heat island;- the use of thermal remote sensing to estimate urban sensible heat flux

Godwin Arku

Research InterestsHousing and economic development; Urban development and policy analysis; Regional and local economic development policy and planning; Third World development issues (esp. Africa)

Current ResearchMy current research focus is on economic development strategies of cities. In particular, I am interested in how cities are competing within international markets, attracting investment and labour to promote economic growth and enhancing the economic and fiscal health of their communities. I welcome applications from masters students interested in the topic of economic development and specifically those are who are interested in examining Ontario cities. I also welcome students who are interested in examining the impacts of provincial policies on the economic development efforts of cities. Finally I welcome masters students with their own research plan.

Peter Ashmore- Undergraduate Chair

Current ResearchI have active, NSERC-funded, fluvial geomorphology research projects on:- gravel-bed river morpho-dynamics, sediment transport and sedimentology, including braided rivers- geomorphology of semi-alluvial urban rivers in southern Ontario with applications to river restoration and sustainability.

Projects can be designed for both Masters and PhD theses. The research involves physical model experiments in the large river-modeling flume at Western, and field work in the Canadian Rockies and southern Ontario. Current collaborations involve researchers at University of Calgary, Utah State University and colleagues in France, Italy and U.K.

Current ResearchI am interested to work with students on projects related to the risk perception and behaviours associated with of technological hazards – particularly in the areas of renewable energy (e.g., wind turbines, waste-to-energy, community energy planning). I currently have funded projects available for Honours thesis, MA and PhD students. Please visit my personal webpage for details.

Irena Creed - Canada Research Chair - Cross Appointment with Biology

Current ResearchI am looking for highly motivated Masters and PhD students looking for opportunities in remote sensing and GIS spatial analysis with an interest is natural land and water systems. My work focuses on understanding the hydrological and biogeochemical links between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems under both natural and disturbed conditions across multiples research sites in Canada and abroad. Candidates will have access to well-equipped chemistry and computer labs with up-to-date remote sensing and GIS software, and to extensive spatial datasets including field data and large volumes of radar and optical satellite imagery. Candidates should be willing to travel for field work.

Jason Gilliland - Director, Urban Development Program - Cross Appointment with School of Health Studies and the Department of Paediatrics- On Sabbatical Leave from July 1, 2017- June 30, 2018

Current ResearchI am interested in hearing from prospective graduate students (MA, MSc, PhD) who are interested in research related to one or more research projects coordinated in the Human Environments Analysis Lab (HEAL) in research related to food studies, health geography and/or innovative applications of GISc/GPS. Please see my web site and contact me for details.

Teaching InterestsLand Use and Development Issues; Graduate Seminar in Urban Geography; Advanced Urban Social Geography

Jeff Hopkins - Graduate Chair

Current ResearchMy research interests as a cultural geographer span issues of urban-social culture (public places), politics of identities (new immigrants, genders, masculinities), and symbolic landscapes of various media (advertising, film). I am willing to discuss graduate research ideas and opportunities with both prospective MA and PhD students.

Current ResearchI would be happy to hear from potential MA or PhD students who are interested in the political ecology of energy. Please visit my website to get a better sense of my research interests and feel free to contact me for further details.

Teaching InterestsEnvironment and Development Challenges; Energy and Power; Research Methods in Geography; Graduate Seminar in Development Geography

Isaac Luginaah - Canada Research Chair- On Sabbatical Leave until December 31, 2017

Research InterestsEnvironment and health, air pollution, GIS and health, HIV/AIDS

Current ResearchI am interested in supervising potential students at the MA, MSc and PhD levels on topics relating to health geography, environment and health and also in HIV/AIDS. Interested students are encouraged to contact me to discuss potential projects and options. Please see my web site for details.

Current ResearchMy research is focused on using records of water quality and quantity preserved in lake sediments to determine past climate change and its impacts. I recently established the Lakes and Reservoirs Systems Research Facility at the University of Western Ontario, which is a state-of-the-art facility for paleolimnological research. Much of my research has focused on northern and alpine areas, but I am presently starting a new project in southern Ontario, which is focused on looking at the impacts of climate and landscape change on lake systems. I am looking for 1-2 graduate students to work on this project.

Current ResearchI am always interested in hearing from students who would like to pursue graduate studies on social and environmental determinants of Aboriginal health in Canada. I may also be willing to supervise students with more general interests in the geographies of health, and/or the geographies of Aboriginal health. Please contact me directly for further details.

Dan Shrubsole

Current ResearchI have a variety of interests related to water and land-related resources, and am willing to discuss graduate opportunities with prospective students. Please see my web page for further details and e-mail me if you want further information.

Teaching InterestsResearch Design and Presentation (Graduate)

Chris Smart

Current ResearchEnvironmental monitoring requires strategic and adaption if it is to provide useful, affordable data for environmental management. My research focuses on integrating contemporary hydrological monitoring technologies into appropriate spatial and temporal measurement schemes. A particular interest is in the use of inexpensive surrogate monitoring techniques that efficiently highlight particular sites and times of contamination. This work is undertaken in an urban-rural setting as well as on green rood installations. Work is also continuing on the hydrology and geomorphology of maximal glacial conditions. Most of our understanding of glaciers is based on receding or residual ice masses that lack the dynamics of advanced glaciers. Equilibrium mass balance modeling indicates that water erosion is likely to far exceed ice erosion through much of the glacier regime. Glacier ice regulates the effect of water erosion through pressurization of basal water flow and variation in the base level of tributary valleys.

Graham Smith

Research InterestsSustainable globalization, capacity building & individual empowerment in the implementation of sustainability, dynamism as an approach to environmental change, & inquiry-based learning

Phil Stooke - Cross Appointment with Physics and Astronomy

Current ResearchI am interested in students who are studying in the areas of cartography, history of cartography, historical maps, or in any aspects of space exploration including space history, planetary mapping and geology. At present I do not have funds to support a student through the summer, but co-supervisory arrangements may be worked out.

Jinfei Wang

Current ResearchMy research interests are in remote sensing. Current projects include: a) 2D and 3D urban feature extraction from high resolution optical and LiDAR remote sensing images and its applications in hazard studies; b) Development of object-based classification algorithms for man-made and natural feature extraction; c) Polarimetry SAR data analysis for land use and land cover mapping and feature extraction; d) Hyperspectral data analysis for urban and wetland vegetation change detection and applications; Remote sensing applications in urban, mountainous and wetland areas.

Tony Weis- On Sabbatical from July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018

Research InterestsGlobalization & agriculture, political ecology, land reform & social movements, environmental conservation in inequitable landscapes

Current ResearchI am happy to discuss graduate opportunities with prospective students. Please consult my web page to get a sense of my research interests.

Teaching InterestsSociety and Nature; Latin America and the Caribbean: Landscapes of Inequality; Conservation & Development (not offered in 2008-2009); Development Geography (Graduate); Agriculture and Rural Development (Gradaute)

Adam Yates

Research InterestsAquatic Ecosystems in Populated Landscapes; Development and Application of Ecological Assessment Methods for Aquatic Ecosystems; Watershed Description and Analysis

Current ResearchMy research blends aquatic ecology with landscape analysis to develop and apply techniques for the assessment of the effects of human activities on ecological conditions of riverine ecosystems with the purpose of generating knowledge and decision support tools for watershed management. The research is strongly focused on field studies with an integral landscape analysis component using GIS. I am currently looking for MSc and PhD students to conduct research projects in Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick in partnership with Environment Canada, the Canadian Rivers Institute and other universities. Summer funding, travel and exchange opportunities are available.